Writers On Wednesday Author Interview: Romance Writer Whitney Keevers-Eastman on Creativity and The Writing Process
Today I welcome to the blog, Whitney Keevers-Eastman who has just released her debut novel What Happens In Ireland.
Ever wondered what happens in Ireland?
When Australian, Kate Barrow, meets a handsome Irishman in a Dublin bar, she has no idea that he’s about to turn her world upside-down and inside-out.
In Ireland to take on a position on a thoroughbred stud, Kate is shocked when her manager-in-co reveals himself to be the same man she’d met in Dublin.
Jack is drawn to Kate. The problem is, she won't have him. But Jack has always loved a challenge and the intriguing woman from Oz is one he cannot resist.
Harbouring the sting of another man’s betrayal, Kate is certain she wants nothing to do with love and nothing to do with Jack O’Reilly. But when naked
torsos, Mother Nature and dysfunctional umbrellas start plotting against her resolve, she realizes the charms of an Irishman are going to be hard to resist.
Thanks for being on the blog Whitney and best of luck with the book!
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- What activities (other than writing) get your creative juices flowing?
My muse love travelling and music. Bus rides, walks, trips overseas – pair with music, the Muse is chomping at the bit. 2. What sort of writing routine do you have – disciplined or undisciplined, regular or erratic, focused or easily distracted?I always make an effort to do something daily. Whether it is writing, editing or promoting. But I don’t restrict myself with what I have to do one certain days. My muse ultimately decides that.3. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and if so what do you do about it?I do a number of things. I did a post on ‘Beating the Block’, listing a few of the methods I’ve used, but generally, I just go back to what inspires me. So music, travel and reading would have to be my top three.4. Which aspects of the writing life do you most love?Most? Hmm… Perhaps the ability to do anything. The possibilities are endless and there is nothing more exciting than starting a new story, beginning a new adventure. And it doesn’t cost you a cent.5. Which aspects do least love (or detest!)?The subjectivity. It’s very hard to please everyone and subjectivity has to be every writer’s greatest enemy.6. What books and writers have most influenced your own writing?There are so many. But I guess I really started thinking about writing after reading Rachael Treasure’s novels. I love Rural Romance and Rachael was the author to introduce me to it. 7. Can you describe for us your writing process, from getting the original idea to completed manuscript?I think it depends on the novel. First, I blurt it out and create the first draft. Then I set it aside and blurt something else out. Then I go back and edit the first with fresh eyes. How many times I edit the manuscript, I can’t say. I tend to change little things here and there in some and sometimes, the novel is much like the draft. And then I email it to my CP’s and Betta reader and start editing the next. Then after the feedback, I make some last changes and send it off to some publishers. And while I’m waiting, I do the same process with my second novel. So in the end, while I’m waiting, I’m writing again. 8. Please describe your path to publication.A learning curve. Being my first novel, I learnt so much editing it with the help of a good friend and fellow author and I continued to work on it until it was published. In between, I found my new WIP’s were getting better in a sense. I was evolving as a writer.I pitched at the 2012 RWA conference, I cried over some rejections and I was encouraged by others. I learned that my work is always a work-in-progress and finally, after much hard work, What Happens in Ireland found a home.I think the road you travel to publication is always rocky. And vital in preparing you for the publishing world.9. What advice would you give to writers who are working towards publication?Work every day towards your dream. No matter your age or ability, anything can be achieved. And from one pessimist to another, fight the whole way, because your dream is worth it.
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Connect with Whitney:Blog – http://whitneyk-e.blogspot.com.au/ and http://theromanticmuse.blogspot.com.au/Twitter – @whitney_ke - https://twitter.com/Whitney_KEFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Whitney-K-E-Romance-Author/311522372250495